Bible Commentaries
Acts 2

Verse 1

when, &c. Literally in the day. being completed. The Syriac and Vulgate read "days". This refers to the completion of the seven weeks (fifty days inclusive) from the waving of the sheaf of firstfruits (Leviticus 23:15 , Leviticus 23:16 ).

Pentecost = fiftieth (day). Greek. Pentekostos. Only here; Act 20:16 . 1 Corinthians 16:8 .

fully come = being fulfilled. Greek. siimpleroo. Only here and Luke 8:23 ; Luke 9:51 .

with one accord. See note on Acts 1:14 .

in one place = together. See note on Acts 1:15 .

Verse 2

suddenly. Greek. aphno. Only here; Acts 16:26 ; Acts 28:6 .

sound. Greek. echos. Only here; Luke 4:37 . Hebrews 12:19 .

from. App-104 .

heaven = the heaven (singular) See Matthew 6:9 , Matthew 6:10 .

rushing, &c. = a mighty wind borne along.

rushing. Greek. pass, of phero. Same word as in 2 Peter 1:21 (moved).

mighty. Greek. biaios. Only here. The noun, bia (force), is only found in Acts. See Acts 5:26 .

wind = blast. Greek. pnoe, from pneo , to breathe, or blow, whence pneuma. Only here and Acts 17:25 . In the Septuagint twenty-one times, of which fifteen are the rendering of the Hebrew neshamah. App-16 .

Verse 3

appeared unto = were seen by. Greek. horao. App-133 .

cloven tongues = tongues distributing, or parting themselves.

upon. Greek. epi. App-104 .

each = each one.

Verse 4

the Holy Ghost = Holy Spirit. App-101 .

speak. Greek. laleo. App-121 .

other. Greek. heteros. App-124 .

as = even as.

the Spirit. App-101 .

gave = was giving.

utterance = to utter or speak forth. Greek. apophthengomai, here, Acts 2:14 , and Acts 26:25 .

Verse 5

dwelling. Greek. katoikeo. As in Acts 1:19 . Not sojourners for the Feast, but Jews of the dispersion who had taken up their abode at Jerusalem, perhaps because of the expectation of the Messiah. Compare Luke 2:25 , Luke 2:38 .

at = in. App-104 .

devout = pious. Greek. eulabes. Only here, Acts 8:2 , and Luke 2:25 .

men. App-123 .

out of. Greek. apo. App-104 .

nation. Greek. ethnos. In Acts translated twelve times, "nation"; thirty times, "Gentiles"; once, "people" (Acts 8:9 ); and once, "heathen" (Acts 4:25 ).

under = of those under. App-104 .

Verse 6

when, &c. Literally this voice (Greek. phone) having come.

multitude. Greek. plethos. Occurs seventeen times in Acts, translated multitude, save Acts 28:3 , "bundle".

confounded. Greek. sunchuno. Only here, Acts 9:22 ; Acts 19:32 ; Acts 21:27 , Acts 21:31 .

every man, &c. = they heard them speaking, each one.

language. Greek. dialektos. See note on Acts 1:19 .

Verse 7

amazed = dumbfounded. Compare Mark 3:21 .

one to another = to ( App-104 .) one another. The texts omit, but not the Syriac.

Behold. App-133 . Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .

Verse 8

tongue. Greek. dialektos, as in Acts 2:6 .

wherein. In ( App-104 .) which.

Verse 9

Parthiars, &c. These were Jews of the dispersion. The first four were within the limits of the Persian Empire. Elam is mentioned in Genesis 14:1 .Jeremiah 49:34 (note). Daniel 8:2 , &c. Mesopotamia is the same as Padan-Aram (Genesis 24:10 ; Genesis 28:2 ).

Cappadocia, &c. Provinces of Asia Minor. Asia here means the district comprising Mysia, Lydia, &c. on the Western coast, governed by a Roman pro-consul. Compare Revelation 1:4 .

Verse 10

Egypt, &c. These were from Africa.

strangers, &c. = sojourners from Rome. Greek. epidemeo. Only here and Acts 17:21 .

proselytes. See note on Matthew 23:15 .

Verse 11

Crates = Cretans. See Titus 1:12 .

wonderful works = great things. Greek. megaleios. Only here and Luke 1:49 .

God. App-98 .

Verse 12

were in doubt = were perplexed. Occurs here; Acts 5:24 ; Acts 10:17 . Luke 9:7 ; Luke 24:4 .

What meaneth this? = What does this imply? Greek. thelo. ( App-102 .)

Verse 13

mocking. Greek. chleuazo. Only here and Acts 17:32 . The texts read diachleuazo.

These men = They.

are full = have been filled. Greek. mestoo. Only here.

new wine . Greek. gleukos. Only here. This word and mestoo are frequent in medical works.

Verse 14

voice. Greek. phone. See Acts 2:6 .

said = spoke out. Greek. apophthengomai, as in Acts 2:4 . This was an utterance in the power of the Holy Spirit.

unto = to.

Ye men, &c. Literally men, Jews, and dwellers at Jerusalem. See note on Acts 1:11 . The ministry of Peter was to the Circumcision. Compare Matthew 15:24 .

known. See note on Acts 1:19 .

hearken = attend closely. Greek. enotizomai. Only here. Literally take into the ears.

words = sayings. Greek. rhema. Mark 9:32 .

Verse 15

suppose. Greek. hupolambano. See note on Acts 1:9 .

seeing = for.

the third hour: i.e. 9am. App-165 . Compare 1 Thessalonians 5:7 .

Verse 16

this is that, &. c. Quoted from Joel 2:28-31 . See App-183 .

by = through. App-104 .Acts 2:1 .

Verse 17

in. App-104 .

the last days. See note on Genesis 49:1 .

pour out. Greek. ekcheo. Translated "shed forth" in Acts 2:33 .

Spirit. App-101 .

all flesh. A Hebraism. Compare Isaiah 40:5 ; Isaiah 66:24 .Luke 3:6 . John 17:2 .

sons. Greek. huios. App-108 .

young men. App-108 .

see. App-133 .

visions. Greek. horasis. Revelation 4:3 ; Revelation 9:17 .

dream. Only here and Jude 1:8 .

dreams. Only here.

Verse 18

servants. Greek. doulos. App-190 .

handmaidens = bondmaids. Greek. doule.

Verse 19

shew = give.

wonders. App-176 .

signs. App-176 .

earth. App-129 . Wonders in the heavens, signs upon earth.

vapour. Only here and James 4:14 .

smoke. Only here, and twelve times in Revelation.

Verse 20

turned = changed. Only here; Galatians 1:1 , Galatians 1:7 . James 4:9 .

into. App-104 .

notable. Greek. epiphanes. Only here. Same word as in the Septuagint. Compare App-106 . The kindred noun, epiphaneia, is used of the Lord's coming. 2 Thessalonians 2:8 . 1 Timothy 6:14 , &c. In Joel, the word is "terrible".

day of the Lord. First occurance of this expression is in Isaiah 2:12 . See note there.

Verse 21

call, &c. Greek. epikaleo. Compare Acts 7:59 ; Acts 9:14 ; Acts 22:16 . Romans 10:12-14 . 1 Corinthians 1:2 .

Verse 22

Ye men, &c. Compare Acts 2:14 .

words. App-121 .

Jesus. App-98 .

of Nazareth = the Nazarene. This title occurs seven times in Acts.

Man. App-123 .

approved = set forth, or commended. Greek. apodeiknumi. Only here, Acts 25:7 . 1Co 4:9 . 2 Thessalonians 2:4 .

among = unto. App-104 .

miracles = powers. App-176 .

also. Omit.

know. App-132 .

Verse 23

being delivered. Only here.

determinate = determined. Greek. horizo. Here; Acts 10:42 ; Acts 11:29 ; Acts 17:26 , Acts 17:31 .Luke 22:22 .Romans 1:4 .Hebrews 4:7 .

counsel. App-102 .

foreknowledge. Greek. prognosis. Compare App-132 . Only here and 1 Peter 1:2 .

have taken, and. The texts omit.

wicked. Greek. anomos. App-128 .

have crucified = nailed up to (the cross). Greek. prospegnumi. Only here. In the other forty-five places "crucify" is stauroo.

slain. = slew. Greek. anaireo, take off, or away. Occurs twenty-three times. All in Luke and Acts, save Mat 2:26 . Hebrews 10:9 .

Verse 24

raised up. App-178 . Compare Acts 13:32 , Acts 13:33 .

pains = birth-pangs. Greek. odin. Only here; Matthew 24:8 . Mark 13:8 . 1 Thessalonians 5:3 . Used in the Septuagint in Psalms 116:3 , where the Authorized Version reads "sorrows".

holden. Same word as "retain", in John 20:23 .

of = by. App-104 .

Verse 25

David. Psalms 18:8 .

concerning = with reference to. App-104 .

foresaw = saw before (me). Only here and Acts 21:29 . Greek. proorao.

always = through ( App-104 .Acts 2:1; Acts 2:1 ) every (event).

before my face. Literally in the eyes of (Greek. enopion) me.

on. App-104 .

that = in order that. Greek. hina.

not. App-105 .

moved. shaken.

Verse 26

Therefore = On account of ( App-104 .Acts 2:2; Acts 2:2 ) this.

was glad = rejoiced exceedingly. See Matthew 5:12 . 1 Peter 1:8 ; 1 Peter 4:13 .

also my flesh = my flesh also.

rest. Literally tabernacle. Greek. kataskenoo. Here; Matthew 13:32 .Mark 4:32 .Luke 13:19 .

Verse 27

leave = forsake, or abandon. Greek. enkataleipo. Occurs nine times. Always translated "forsake", except here and Romans 9:29 .

my soul = me. App-110 .

in = into. App-104 .

hell. App-131 .

neither. Greek. oude.

suffer = give.

Holy One. Greek. hosios. Here; Acts 13:34 , Acts 13:35 ; 1 Timothy 2:8 . Titus 1:8 . Hebrews 7:26 . Revelation 15:4 ; Revelation 16:5 . Over thirty times in Septuagint, of which twenty-five are in Psalms. Mostly as rendering of Hebrew. ha id = grace, or favour. See Deuteronomy 33:8 . Psalms 16:10 ; Psalms 52:9 .

see. App-133 .

corruption. Greek. diaphthora. Only here; Acts 2:31 ; Acts 13:34-37 .

Verse 28

hast made known = madest known. App-132 .

life. App-170 .

joy. Greek. euphrosune. Only here and Acts 14:17 .

Verse 29

Men, &c. See note on Acts 1:11 .

let me = I may.

freely = with ( App-104 .) frankness.

unto. App-104 .

patriarch. Occurs here, Acts 7:8 , Acts 7:9 , and Hebrews 7:4 . Applied to Abraham and the sons of Jacob, as founders of' the nation, and to David, as founder of the monarchy.

sepulchre = tomb, as in Mark 5:5 . Greek. mnema. Compare Acts 7:16 . Luke 23:53 . The more usual word is mnemeion, as in Acts 13:29 .

with = among Greek. en . App-104 .

unto = until Greek. achri.

Verse 30

being. Greek. huparcho. See note on Luke 9:48 .

had sworn = swore. See 2 Samuel 7:0 .

with = by.

according . . . Christ to sit. The texts read, "He would set (one)".

on = Greek. epi . App-104 .

His throne. i.e. God's throne. Compare 1 Chronicles 29:23 , and see Psalms 2:6 .

Verse 31

seeing this before = fore-seeing(it). Greek. proeidon. Here and Galatians 1:3 , Galatians 1:8 .

resurrection. Greek. anastasis. App-178 .

Christ = the Christ. App-98 .

His soul. Texts read "He".

left. Greek. kataleipo, but the texts read enkataleipo, as in Acts 2:27 .

did see = saw.

Verse 32

hath. Omit.

whereof = of which.

all. i.e. the twelve.

witnesses. See note on Acts 1:8 .

Verse 33

being . . . exalted. Greek. hupsoo. See note on John 12:32 .

of = from beside. Greek. para . App-104 .

promise. See note on Acts 1:4 .

the Holy Ghost = the Holy Spirit. App-101 .

shed forth. Same as "pour out" in verses: Acts 17:18 .

now. Omit.

see. Greek. blepo. App-133 .

Verse 34

is not ascended = went not up. Therefore still sleeping. Compare Acts 13:36 .

the heavens. See note on Matthew 6:9 , Matthew 6:10 .

Verse 35

Thy footstool = the footstool of Thy feet. Quoted from Psalms 110:1 . See note on Matthew 22:44 .

Verse 36

all the house, &c. Compare Acts 2:14 .

know. Greek. ginosko. App-132 .

assuredly. Greek. asphalos. See note on "safely", Mark 14:44 .

have crucified = crucified. Greek. stauroo, not same word as in Acts 2:23 .

Verse 37

pricked = pierced through. Only here in NT. In Septuagint Genesis 34:7 . Psalms 109:16 , &c.

apostles. See App-189 .

Verse 38

Repent. App-111 .

be baptized . . . in. App-115 . For the formula of baptism, see App-185 .

name. Note the frequent use of "the name" in the Acts. Compare Acts 3:6 , Acts 3:16 ; Acts 4:10 , Acts 4:12 , Acts 4:17 , Acts 4:18 , Acts 4:30 , &c. See also Genesis 12:8 . Exodus 3:13-15 ; Exodus 23:21 .

Jesus Christ. i.e. Jesus as Messiah. App-98 .

for. Greek. eis. App-104 .

remission = forgiveness. Greek. aphesis. Compare App-174 .

sins. App-128 .

gift = free gift. Greek. dorea. See note on John 4:10 . Always used of divine gifts. The word doron is always used of man's gifts, except in Ephesians 2:8 .

Verse 39

children. App-108 .

afar off. Literally unto (Greek. eis) far, i.e. the Dispersion and then the Gentiles. Compare Acts 22:21 .Ephesians 2:13 , Ephesians 2:17 . Figure of speech Euphemismos. App-6 .

call = call to (Himself).

Verse 40

with = by.

testify = earnestly testify. Greek. diamarturomai. Occurs fifteen times. Once in Luke 16:28 , nine times in Acts, and five times in Paul's Epistles.

exhort. App-134 .

from = away from. Greek. apo. App-104 . untoward = crooked.

Verse 41

gladly. Texts omit.

received = received fully. Greek. apodechomai. Only here; Acts 15:4 ; Acts 18:27 ; Acts 24:3 ; Acts 28:30 . Luke 8:40 .

baptized. App-115 .

souls. App-110 . See Psalms 110:3 .

Verse 42

And. This and the "ands" in following verses give the Figure of speech Polysyndeton. App-6 .

continued stedfastly. Greek. proskartereo. See note on Acts 1:14 .

doctrine = teaching.

fellowship = the fellowship. Compare Acts 2:44 .

breaking of bread. This was the common meal. Compare verses:## Act 44:46 and Matthew 14:19 . Isaiah 58:7 .

breaking. Only here and Luke 24:35 .

prayers = the prayers. App-134 . Compare Acts 3:1 .

Verse 43

upon = to.

Verse 44

believed. App-150 .

together. See Acts 2:1 .

Verse 45

to all. i.e. to the believers.

every man = any one. App-123 .

Verse 46

temple = temple courts. Greek. hieron. See note on Matthew 23:16 .

from house to house = at home.

did eat = were partaking of

meat = food. Greek. trophe. nourishment.

gladness. Occurs here; Luke 1:14 , Luke 1:44 .Hebrews 1:9 . Jude 1:24 .

singleness. Greek. aphelotes. Only here.

Verse 47

Praising. Greek. aieno. Always used of praising God. Here; Acts 3:8 , Acts 3:9 . Luke 2:13 , Luke 2:20 ; Luke 19:37 ; Luke 24:53 .Romans 15:11 .Revelation 19:5 .

favour. Greek. charts. App-186 .

with = in regard to. Greek. pros.

people. Greek. laos.

to the church. The texts omit.

such, &c. = the saved.